Movie copy protection

ABSTRACT

A method for frustrating piracy of a movie, the movie including a plurality of filmed frames, each of the filmed frames including an image, the method including editing the movie prior to projection such that different regions of the image of one of the filmed frames are in different frames so that the different regions will be projected at different times, and repeating the editing for other ones of the filmed frames. Related apparatus and methods are also described.

RELATED APPLICATION INFORMATION

The present application is a 35 USC §371 application ofPCT/IL2006/000809, filed on 12 Jul. 2006 and entitled “Movie CopyProtection”, which was published on 1 Mar. 2007 in the English languagewith International Publication Number WO 2007/023482 and which reliesfor priority on U.S. Provisional Patent Applications Ser. No.60/710,054, Ser. No. 60/710,048 and Ser. No. 60/710,264 of Moshe, et al.filed 22 Aug. 2005, the disclosures of which are hereby incorporatedherein by reference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to movie copy protection.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

A frustrating problem in the movie industry is the pirating of moviesshown in a movie theater. Movie pirates typically enter a first runtheater, video tape the movie off of the screen and then release piratedversions of the first run movie on video tape to the public.

The following references are believed to represent the state of the art:

-   U.S. Pat. No. 1,498,433 to Bouin;-   U.S. Pat. No. 1,610,423 to Cawley;-   U.S. Pat. No. 1,759,777 to Cawley;-   U.S. Pat. No. 2,983,190 to Betz, et al.;-   U.S. Pat. No. 3,469,837 to Heilig;-   U.S. Pat. No. 3,622,223 to Brackell;-   U.S. Pat. No. 3,712,708 to Brown;-   U.S. Pat. No. 3,598,470 to Vetter;-   U.S. Pat. No. 3,964,822 to Yamashita;-   U.S. Pat. No. 4,297,723 to Whitby;-   U.S. Pat. No. 5,121,252 to Okada, et al.;-   U.S. Pat. No. 5,651,065 to Stufflet, et al.;-   U.S. Pat. No. 5,680,454 to Mead;-   U.S. Pat. No. 5,837,346 to Langille, et al.;-   U.S. Pat. No. 5,959,717 to Chaum;-   U.S. Pat. No. 6,309,072 to Deter;-   U.S. Pat. No. 6,421,174 to Ooshima, et al.;-   U.S. Pat. No. 6,529,600 to Epstein, et al;-   U.S. Pat. No. 6,894,835 to Ohsako, et al.;-   US Published Patent Application 2003/0169404 of Weisgerber;-   US Published Patent Application 2003/0202576 of Enright;-   US Published Patent Application 2004/0091110 of Barkans;-   US Published Patent Application 2004/0098753 of Reynolds, et al.;-   US Published Patent Application 2004/0033051 of IP;-   US Published Patent Application 2004/0258272 of Fan;-   US Published Patent Application 2005/0200952 of Niwa, et al.;-   US Published Patent Application 2005/0243278 of Li, et al.;-   US Published Patent Application 2005/0248843 of Maruta, et al.;-   US Published Patent Application 2005/0265577 of DeCegama;-   European Published Patent Application EP 1202079 of Arsenich;-   European Published Patent Application EP 0897243 of France Telecom;-   PCT Published Patent Application WO 00/74366 of Digital Electronic    Cinema, Inc.;-   PCT Published Patent Application WO 01/31398 of Giry;-   PCT Published Patent Application WO 03/089987 of Erlas Erlanger    Lasertechnik GMBH;-   PCT Published Patent Application WO 2004/010681 of Spitz, Inc.; and-   PCT Published Patent Application WO 2004/066626 of Koninklijke    Philips Electronics N.V.

The disclosures of all references mentioned above and throughout thepresent specification, as well as the disclosures of all referencesmentioned in those references, are hereby incorporated herein byreference.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention seeks to provide a system for frustrating moviepiracy.

The system and method of the present invention, in preferred embodimentsthereof, frustrates movie piracy by splitting each frame of a movie intotwo or more replacement-frames. Each of the replacement-frames isprojected one at a time, such that the replacement-frames of an originalframe are typically projected one after the other.

The projection of the individual replacement-frames results in a piratedmovie with substantial degradation, so that an illegal copy will be avery low quality copy, and therefore practically unusable. However, thesplitting is not noticed by the human eye.

The system and method of the present invention, in preferred embodimentsthereof, also frustrates movie piracy by changing the frame rate duringprojection and/or by excluding individual frames from being projected byediting or by using a suitable shutter associated with the movieprojector.

The system of the present invention, in preferred embodiments thereof,also includes using a screen having one or more projections and/ordepressions over the screen surface, so that the image recorded by apirate camcorder is degraded due to uneven reflections from the screen,thereby leading to a pirated copy of the movie that is practicallyuseless. On the other hand, the human eye has an extraordinary abilityto adjust itself to differences in light, so that a viewer generallywatches the movie without any noticeable disturbances.

There is thus provided in accordance with a preferred embodiment of thepresent invention, a method for frustrating piracy of a movie, the movieincluding a plurality of filmed frames, each of the filmed framesincluding an image, the method including editing the movie prior toprojection such that different regions of the image of one of the filmedframes are in different frames so that the different regions will beprojected at different times, and repeating the editing for other onesof the filmed frames.

Further in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the presentinvention the different regions are non-intersecting regions of theimage of the one filmed frame.

Still further in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the presentinvention, the method includes physically duplicating the one filmedframe yielding a first projected frame and a second projected frame, thefirst projected frame including one of the different regions, the secondprojected frame including another of the different regions.

Additionally in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the presentinvention the editing includes editing out at least one region in eachof the first projected frame and the second projected frame leavingbehind the different regions.

Moreover in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the presentinvention, the method includes analyzing the image of the one filmedframe in order to decide a most suitable way to divide up the image ofthe one filmed frame thereby determining the different regions.

Further in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the presentinvention a shape of at least one of the different regions changesbetween the one filmed frame and another one of the filmed frames.

Still further in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the presentinvention a location of at least one of the different regions changesbetween the one filmed frame and another one of the filmed frames.

Additionally in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the presentinvention an orientation of at least one of the different regionschanges between the one filmed frame and another one of the filmedframes.

There is also provided in accordance with still another preferredembodiment of the present invention a method for frustrating piracy of amovie, the movie including a sequence of a plurality of frames, each ofthe frames including an image, the frames including a pair of framesincluding a first frame and a second frame, the method includingpreventing projection of a first region of the first frame and a secondregion of the second frame, the first frame being adjacent to the secondframe in the sequence of the frames, the first region covering adifferent region of the frames than the second region, and repeating thepreventing for other adjacent pairs of the filmed frames.

Moreover in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the presentinvention prior to the preventing, the image of the first frame issubstantially the same as the image of the second frame.

Further in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the presentinvention the preventing includes physically editing out the firstregion from the first frame and the second region from the second frameprior to projection of the movie.

Still further in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the presentinvention, the method includes providing a movie projector having ashutter, and wherein the preventing includes projecting the movie suchthat the shutter selectively prevents projection of the first region forthe first frame and the second region for the second frame.

Additionally in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the presentinvention a shape of the first region and a shape of the second regionchanges between the pair and another pair of the frames.

Moreover in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the presentinvention a location of at least one of the first region and the secondregion changes between the pair and another pair of the frames.

Further in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the presentinvention an orientation of at least one of the first region and thesecond region changes between a pair and another pair of the frames.

There is also provided in accordance with still another preferredembodiment of the present invention a movie projector system forfrustrating piracy of a movie, the movie including a sequence of aplurality of frames, each of the frames including an image, the framesincluding a pair of frames including a first frame and a second frame,the system including a spool assembly to spool the movie, a lamp andlens assembly mechanically connected to the spool assembly, a shuttermechanically connected to the lamp and lens assembly, the shutter beingoperative to prevent projection of at least one region of at least oneof the frames, and a shutter controller operationally connected to theshutter, the shutter controller being operative to control the shuttersuch that projection of a first region of the first frame and a secondregion of the second frame is prevented, the first frame being adjacentto the second frame in the sequence of the frames, the first regioncovering a different region of the frames than the second region.

Still further in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the presentinvention prior to the projection, the image of the first frame issubstantially the same as the image of the second frame.

Additionally in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the presentinvention the shutter controller being operative to control the shuttersuch that a shape of the first region and a shape of the second regionchanges between the pair and another pair of the frames.

Moreover in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the presentinvention the shutter controller being operative to control the shuttersuch that a location of at least one of the first region and the secondregion changes between the pair and another pair of the frames.

Further in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the presentinvention the shutter controller being operative to control the shuttersuch that an orientation of at least one of the first region and thesecond region changes between a pair and another pair of the frames.

There is also provided in accordance with still another preferredembodiment of the present invention a method for frustrating piracy of amovie, the movie including a sequence of a plurality of frames, themethod including at least one of removing and duplicating some of theframes of a first section of the movie so that the first section can beprojected at a first projection rate, and at least one of removing andduplicating some of the frames of a second section of the movie so thatthe second section can be projected at a second projection rate which isdifferent to the first projection rate, so that the projection of thefirst section at the first projection rate and the projection of thesecond section at the second projection rate is perceived by a viewer asbeing projected at a constant rate.

Still further in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the presentinvention a duration of the projection of the first section at the firstprojection rate is the same as a duration of the projection of thesecond section at the second projection rate.

Additionally in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the presentinvention a duration of the projection of the first section at the firstprojection rate is different to a duration of the projection of thesecond section at the second projection rate.

There is also provided in accordance with still another preferredembodiment of the present invention a movie projector system forfrustrating piracy of a movie, the movie including a sequence of aplurality of frames, the system including a spool assembly to spool themovie, a lamp and lens assembly mechanically connected to the spoolassembly, a shutter mechanically connected to the lamp and lensassembly, the shutter being operative to selectively exclude individualframes from being projected, and a shutter controller operationallyconnected to the shutter, the shutter controller being operative tocontrol the shutter such that a first number of the frames of a firstsection of the movie are excluded from projection, and a second numberof the frames of a second section of the movie are excluded fromprojection, wherein the first number is not equal to the second number.

Moreover in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the presentinvention a duration of the projection of the first section takes is thesame as a duration of the projection of the second section.

Further in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the presentinvention a duration of the projection of the first section is differentfrom a duration of the projection of the second section.

There is also provided in accordance with still another preferredembodiment of the present invention a movie screen apparatus, includinga projection surface having a plurality of edges, and an anti-piracysurface feature disposed on the projection surface, the featureincluding two strips, each of the strips including two edges, the edgesof the strips extending from one of the edges of the projection surfaceto another one of the edges of the projection surface, one of the edgesof the strips being connected to the projection surface, another one ofthe edges of the strips connecting the strips, a minimum angle betweenthe strips being greater than 90 degrees and less than 180 degrees, thestrips having a minimum width of 0.5 cm.

There is also provided in accordance with still another preferredembodiment of the present invention a movie screen apparatus, includinga projection surface having a plurality of edges, the projection surfaceincluding a plurality of strips, each of the strips including two edges,the edges of the strips extending from one of the edges of theprojection surface to another one of the edges of the projection surfacethe strips having a minimum width of 0.5 cm, different ones of thestrips facing in different directions.

Still further in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the presentinvention the strips are connected to each other at the edges of thestrips, a minimum angle between the strips being greater than 90 degreesand less than 180 degrees.

Additionally in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the presentinvention the strips are arranged in a plurality of groups, each of thegroups forming a pattern, the pattern repeating for each of the groups,different ones of the strips in each group facing in the differentdirections.

Moreover in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the presentinvention different ones of the strips in each group face in at leastfour different directions.

Further in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the presentinvention the strips form a non-continuous surface having gaps betweenthe strips.

There is also provided in accordance with still another preferredembodiment of the present invention a method for frustrating piracy of amovie, including providing a movie screen including a plurality ofstrips, the strips being arranged in a plurality of groups, each of thegroups forming a pattern, the pattern repeating for each of the groups,different ones of the strips in each group facing at least two differentdirections, providing a synchronized projector arrangement, andarranging the projection arrangement so as to project the movie from aplurality of different orientations relative to the screen on to thestrips facing the different directions.

Still further in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the presentinvention, the method includes synchronizing the projection arrangementso as to selectively project alternately in each one of the differentdirections.

Additionally in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the presentinvention the projection arrangement includes a plurality ofsynchronized projectors, each of the projectors being associated withone of the different directions.

Moreover in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the presentinvention, the method includes projecting from the differentorientations on to the strips simultaneously.

Further in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the presentinvention the projecting is performed such that there is no overlap ofthe movie on the screen from the different orientations.

Still further in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the presentinvention the projecting is performed without the overlap usingcomplementary filters disposed on the projection arrangement.

Additionally in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the presentinvention the projection arrangement includes a plurality ofsynchronized projectors, each of the projectors being associated withone of the different directions, the projecting is performed without theoverlap by editing, for each of the projectors, a copy of the movie inorder to remove non-projected parts of the copy.

Moreover in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the presentinvention the strips form a non-continuous surface having gaps betweenthe strips.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present invention will be understood and appreciated more fully fromthe following detailed description, taken in conjunction with thedrawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a simplified pictorial illustration of frame division in ananti-piracy system constructed and operative in accordance with apreferred embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a simplified pictorial illustration of asymmetric framedivision in the system of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a simplified pictorial illustration of alternative framedivision in the system of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a simplified pictorial illustration showing a preferred methodof preparing a movie for use with the system of FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is a simplified pictorial illustration showing another preferredmethod of preparing a movie for use with the system of FIG. 1;

FIG. 6 is a simplified pictorial illustration showing yet anotherpreferred method of preparing a movie for use with the system of FIG. 1;

FIG. 7 is a simplified block diagram view of movie projector system foruse with the anti-piracy system of FIG. 1;

FIG. 8 is a simplified pictorial illustration of a fixed time intervalchanging projection rate for use in an anti-piracy system constructedand operative in accordance with an alternative preferred embodiment ofthe present invention;

FIG. 9 is a simplified pictorial illustration of duplicating frames foruse with the system of FIG. 8;

FIG. 10 is a simplified pictorial illustration of removing frames foruse with the system of FIG. 8;

FIG. 11 is a simplified pictorial illustration of a non-fixed timeinterval changing projection rate for use with the system of FIG. 8;

FIG. 12 is a simplified block diagram view of a movie projector systemconstructed and operative in accordance with a preferred embodiment ofthe present invention;

FIG. 13 is a simplified pictorial illustration of a fixed time intervalchanging projection rate for use with the system of FIG. 12;

FIG. 14 is a simplified pictorial illustration of a non-fixed timeinterval changing projection rate for use with the system of FIG. 12;

FIG. 15 is a schematic orthogonal view of a movie screen apparatusconstructed and operative in accordance with a preferred embodiment ofthe present invention;

FIG. 16 is a schematic top view of the apparatus of FIG. 15;

FIG. 17 is a schematic orthogonal view of a movie screen apparatusconstructed and operative in accordance with an alternative preferredembodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 18 is a schematic top view of the movie screen apparatus of FIG.17;

FIG. 19 is an expanded view of a section of FIG. 18;

FIG. 20 is a schematic orthogonal view of a movie screen apparatusconstructed and operative in accordance with another alternativepreferred embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 21 is a partly pictorial, partly block diagram view of amulti-projector anti-piracy system constructed and operative inaccordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention for usewith the movie screen apparatus of FIG. 20;

FIG. 22 is a partly pictorial, partly block diagram view of a singleprojector anti-piracy system constructed and operative in accordancewith a preferred embodiment of the present invention for use with themovie screen apparatus of FIG. 20;

FIG. 23 is a partly pictorial, partly block diagram view of amulti-projector anti-piracy system constructed and operative inaccordance with an alternative preferred embodiment of the presentinvention for use with the movie screen apparatus of FIG. 20;

FIG. 24 is a partly pictorial, partly block diagram view of amulti-projector anti-piracy system constructed and operative inaccordance with another alternative preferred embodiment of the presentinvention for use with the movie screen apparatus of FIG. 20; and

FIG. 25 is a schematic top view of a movie screen apparatus constructedand operative in accordance with another alternative preferredembodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF A PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

By way of introduction, the human eye does not generally discern thedifference between images projected at 24 frames per second and imagesprojected at 100 frames per second, by way of example, since humanflicker fusion threshold is usually about 16 frames per second.

It is generally necessary for a digital camcorder, which is being usedto film a projected movie off screen, to be synchronized with theprojection frame rate of the movie in order to capture a relativelynormal quality image. The refresh rate of the camcorder has to bereasonably near to the projection frame rate.

It is common in the television and cinema industries to use sometechniques of frame multiplication in order to create a fluidprojection. For example, most movies are shot at 24 frames per second,but the ordinary rate of movie projection in theatres is generally 48frames per second, so that the frames are doubled prior to projection.

The present invention, in preferred embodiments thereof, exploits theoccurrence of Human Vision Persistence. A critical part of understandingthe visual perception phenomena of the human eye is that the human eyeis not a video camera: there is no “frame rate” or “scan rate” in theeye.

Reference is now made to FIG. 1, which is a simplified pictorialillustration of frame division in an anti-piracy system 10 constructedand operative in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the presentinvention. Frame division typically includes replacing each of theoriginal filmed frames by two or more replacement frames. FIG. 1describes frame division, by way of a non-limiting example, byreplicating an original frame 12 of a movie twice to form tworeplacement frames 14, 15. The original frame 12 has an image 16. Theimage 16 is now divided into two strips 18, 19 between the replacementframes 14, 15, respectively. Therefore, the replacement frames 14, 15are produced from the original frame 12. The replacement frame 14includes the strip 18 which is the left part of the image 16 of theoriginal frame 12. The replacement frame 15 includes the strip 19 whichis the right part of the image 16 of the original frame 12.

During projection of the movie, each replacement frame 14, 15 istypically projected one at a time, preferably one after another. It willbe appreciated that the number of new created frames for each originalframe affects the rate of the projection. In the example of FIG. 1, theprojection frame rate needs to be doubled, so that now the movie isprojected at 48 frames per second instead of 24 frames per second.

As a consequence, the human viewer typically does not perceive anydifference in the movie, which will be seen as fluid as usual. However,the camcorder will record the movie with substantial degradation, sothat an illegal copy will be a very low quality copy, and thereforepractically unusable.

It will be appreciated that the desired projection frame rate will atleast partially determine the number of divisions of each originalframe.

It will also be appreciated by those ordinarily skilled in the art thatthe number of divisions of each original frame does not have to be fixedand can be changed for every movie or even within the same movie, inorder to counter piracy.

In the example of FIG. 1, the frame is divided equally in half. Otherexamples are now described below where frames are not divided equally inhalf.

Reference is now made to FIG. 2, which is a simplified pictorialillustration of asymmetric frame division in the system 10 of FIG. 1. Anoriginal frame 21 has an image 24. The image 24 of the original frame 21is preferably divided into a plurality of different regions 36 fordisposing among a replacement frame 26 and a replacement frame 28 sothat the image 24 is divided asymmetrically between the replacementframe 26 and the replacement frame 28.

Reference is now made to FIG. 3, which is a simplified pictorialillustration of alternative frame division in the system 10 of FIG. 1.The form of the division of the original frames in to two or morereplacement-frames is optionally different for different original frameswithin the same movie, as is now described below.

The results of the division of the image 24 of the original frame 21 ofFIG. 2 into the different regions 36 using the replacement frame 26 andthe replacement frame 28 is shown again in FIG. 3.

Another original frame (not shown), in the same movie as the originalframe 21, is divided into a plurality of different regions 38 among areplacement frame 30 and a replacement frame 32. The different regions38 have the same shape as the different regions 36. However, thedifferent regions 38 are in a different orientation than the orientationof the different regions 36. The different regions 38 are based on thesame two shapes 40 (two rectangles) as the different regions 36.However, the shapes 40 of the different regions 38 of the replacementframe 30 are in a different location and orientation than the shapes 40of the different regions 36 of the replacement frame 26.

Yet another original frame (not shown), in the same movie as theoriginal frame 21, is divided into a plurality of different regions 42among a replacement frame 44 and a replacement frame 46. The differentregions 42 have two shapes 48 (ovals). The shapes 48 (ovals) aredifferent than the shapes 40 (rectangles) of the different regions 36,38.

The frame division system 10 described above with reference to FIGS. 1-3is typically implemented using the methods described with reference toFIGS. 4-7.

Reference is now made to FIG. 4, which is a simplified pictorialillustration showing a preferred method of preparing a movie 50 for usewith the system 10 of FIG. 1. The movie 50 preferably includes aplurality of filmed frames 52 (only one filmed frame 60 is shown for thesake of clarity). Each of the filmed frames 52 typically includes animage 54. The movie is preferably prepared performing the followingsteps, described by way of example for the filmed frame 60. The stepsare repeated for each of the filmed frames 52 of the movie 50.

First, the filmed frame 60 is preferably physically duplicated yieldinga projected frame 56, a projected frame 58 and a projected frame 62(bracket 72). The first step is typically performed for all of thefilmed frames 52 of the movie 50 before the next step is performed.Dotted lines show a plurality of regions 76 which are removed from theprojected frames 56, 58, 62 in the next step of editing.

Second, the movie 50 is edited, prior to projection, such that differentregions 64 of the image 54 of the filmed frame 60 are in the differentframes 56, 58, 62 (bracket 74). The regions 64 include a region 66, aregion 68 and a region 70. The different regions 66, 68, 70 arepreferably non-intersecting regions of the image 54 of the filmed frame60. The projected frame 56 includes the region 66. The projected frame58 includes the region 68. The projected frame 62 includes the region70. Therefore, the different regions 66, 68, 70 will be projected atdifferent times, typically one after another, in the final movie 50. Theediting preferably includes editing out the regions 76 in each of theprojected frames 56, 58, 62 leaving behind the different regions 66, 68,70.

Reference is now made to FIG. 5, which is a simplified pictorialillustration showing another preferred method of preparing the movie 50for use with the system 10 of FIG. 1. In more progressive editingprocesses, which use digital editing, for example, the frame division ofthe movie 50 is preferably performed by using a module that analyzes theimage 54 in each filmed frame 52, and finds the most suitable way tobreak each filmed frame 52 into two or more replacement frames 78 withparts of each replacement frame concealed as necessary. So for example,the image 54 of the filmed frame 60 is analyzed in order to decide amost suitable way to divide up the image 54 of the filmed frame 60thereby determining a plurality of different regions 80, 82, 84. Each ofthe different regions 80, 82, 84 is disposed in a different one of thereplacement frames 78 so that when the movie 50 is projected, thedifferent regions 80, 82, 84 are projected at different times,preferably one after the other.

Reference is now made to FIG. 6, which is a simplified pictorialillustration showing yet another preferred method of preparing a movie86 for use with the system 10 of FIG. 1. When the movie 86 is filmed,the movie 86 is filmed at two or more times the normal filming speedyielding a plurality of groups 90 (at least pairs) of frames 88 havingsubstantially the same image 92. Then an appropriate region or regions94 of each frame 88 is edited out. The method is described in moredetail below.

The movie 86 includes a sequence of the frames 88. By way of example,the movie 86 is shot at three times normal filming speed, so forsubstantially the same image 92 there are three frames 88, namely aframe 96, a frame 98 and a frame 100 (bracket 102). The frames 96, 98,100 are adjacent to each other in the sequence of the frames 88. Theregions 94 for removal are shown by a dotted line. In particular, theregions 94 include a region 104 of the frame 96, two regions 106 of theframe 98 and a region 108 of the frame 100. The regions 104, 106, 108typically cover different regions of the image 92 of the frames 96, 98,100.

Next, projection of the region 104 of the frame 96, the regions 106 ofthe frame 98 and the region 108 of the frame 100 is prevented byphysically editing out the region 104 from the frame 96, the regions 106from the frame 98 and the region 108 from the frame 100 prior toprojection of the movie 86 (bracket 110). The editing is preferablyrepeated for each of the groups 90 (at least adjacent pairs) of theframes 88 of the movie 86.

Reference is now made to FIG. 7, which is a simplified block diagramview of a movie projector system 112 for use with the anti-piracy system10 of FIG. 1. Instead of physically editing out regions of the movie 86of FIG. 6, the regions 94 of the frames 96, 98, 100 are typicallyprevented from being projected during projection of the movie 86, asdescribed below in more detail. Reference is also made to the bracket102 of FIG. 6.

The movie projector system 112 preferably includes: a spool assembly 114typically to spool the movie 86; a lamp and lens assembly 116 generallymechanically connected to the spool assembly 114; a shutter 118typically mechanically connected to the lamp and lens assembly 116, theshutter 118 preferably being operative to prevent projection of at leastone region 94 of at least one of the frames 88; and a shutter controller120 typically operationally connected to the shutter 118. The shuttercontroller 120 is preferably operative to control the shutter 118 suchthat projection of the region 104 of the frame 96, the regions 106 ofthe frame 98 and the region 108 of the frame 100 is prevented.

The shutter controller 120 is preferably operative to control theshutter 118 such that a shape and/or location and/or orientation of theregions 94 changes between at least some of the groups 90 (at leastpairs) of the frames 88.

It will be appreciated that the choice of how many times normal speed tofilm a movie will depend on the choice, and in particular speed, of theshutter 118, and vice versa.

Reference is now made to FIG. 8, which is a simplified pictorialillustration of a fixed time interval changing projection rate for usein an anti-piracy system 122 constructed and operative in accordancewith an alternative preferred embodiment of the present invention.

As described above, a movie is composed of frames such that when theframes are projected at a constant rate of typically 24 frames persecond (fps), a fluid motion is typically perceived by a viewer duringprojection of the movie.

By way of introduction, an attempt by a pirate to capture a movie beingshown on a television (TV) screen, which has a refresh rate of 52.7 Hz,with a camcorder, generally results in a degraded image being capturedby the camcorder. A well-known solution is to change the refresh rate ofthe camcorder to be substantially the same as the refresh rate of the TVscreen. The refresh rate of the camcorder is typically adjusted byadjusting the shutter speed of the camcorder so that the camcorder issynchronized with the TV.

In order to frustrate pirating a movie, the system 122 preferablyincludes changing the projection rate, R, of the movie during the movieprojection, so that the camcorder generally cannot synchronize with themovie projection rate, even if an automatic mechanism is provided in thecamcorder to perform the synchronization.

Therefore, the system 122 preferably projects the movie with varyingprojection rates, R, throughout the projection of the movie typically atfixed time intervals, t. Therefore, at the end of each time interval, t,the projection rate, R, is typically changed. All of the time intervals,t, preferably have the same duration. In FIG. 8 five time periods areshown (t1 to t5) having corresponding projection rates (R1 to R5).

A projector (not shown) of the system 122 needs to be instructed how toproject the movie as required by the projection rate, R, for each timeinterval, t. The projector is typically instructed regarding theprojection rates using a control track, or in any other suitable methodthat enables synchronization between the projector and the requiredprojection rate, R, for each time interval, t.

Reference is now made to FIG. 9, which is a simplified pictorialillustration of duplicating a plurality of frames 124 for use with thesystem 122 of FIG. 8. Reference is also now made to FIG. 10 is asimplified pictorial illustration of removing a plurality of frames 126for use with the system 122 of FIG. 8. Reference is also made to FIG. 8.It is important to note that for each time interval, t, projected atprojection rate, R (each time interval, t, corresponding to differentsections of the movie), one or more original frames of the movietypically need to be duplicated or removed at the movie editing stage sothat the movie will be perceived by the viewer as being projected at aconstant rate.

By way of example only (as shown in FIG. 9), a first section 128 of themovie includes a sequence of eight frames 130 to be projected at afaster rate, R1, than the rate at which the movie was filmed. Therefore,the frames 124 (frames 4 and 8) of the first section 128 are duplicatedyielding a sequence 132 of ten frames 130, so that the first section 128can be projected at the projection rate, R1.

Also, by way of example only (as shown in FIG. 10), a second section 134of the movie includes a sequence of 8 frames 130 to be projected at aslower rate, R2, than the rate at which the movie was filmed. Therefore,the frames 126 (frames 4 and 8) of the second section 134 are removedyielding a sequence 136 of six frames 130, so that the second section134 can be projected at the projection rate, R2. Projection rate R1 isdifferent from the projection rate R2.

Therefore, the projection of the first section 128 at the projectionrate, R1, and the projection of the second section 134 at the projectionrate, R2, is perceived by the viewer as being projected at a constantrate.

The duration of the projection of the first section 128 at theprojection rate, R1, is substantially the same (within frame accuracy)as the duration of the projection of the second section 134 at theprojection rate, R2.

Reference is now made to FIG. 11, which is a simplified pictorialillustration of a non-fixed time interval changing projection rate foruse with the system 122 of FIG. 8. Optionally, the duration of the timeintervals t is preferably varied as shown in FIG. 11. By way of example,the duration of the projection of the section of time interval t1,projected at the projection rate R1, is different to the duration of theprojection of the section of time interval t2, projected at theprojection rate R2.

Reference is now made to FIG. 12, which is a simplified block diagramview of a movie projector system 138 constructed and operative inaccordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention.Reference is also now made to FIG. 13, which is a simplified pictorialillustration of a fixed time interval changing projection rate for usewith the system 138 of FIG. 12.

The movie projector system 138 preferably projects a movie 140 filmed ata relatively high rate, for example, but not limited to, between 4 and10 times faster than movies are normally filmed. One reason for filmingthe movie 140 at a higher rate than normal is to allow the movieprojector system 138 to exclude selected frames of the filmed movie 140from being projected, as will be described below in more detail.

The movie projector system 138 is now described in more detail.

The movie projector system 138 is for frustrating piracy of the movie140 including a sequence of a plurality of frames 142 (only six frames142 are labeled in FIG. 13 for the sake of clarity). The movie projectorsystem 138 preferably includes: a spool assembly 144 typically to spoolthe movie 140; a lamp and lens assembly 146 generally mechanicallyconnected to the spool assembly 144; a shutter 148 typicallymechanically connected to the lamp and lens assembly 146, the shutter148 preferably being operative to selectively exclude individual ones ofthe frames 142 from being projected; a shutter controller 150 typicallyoperationally connected to the shutter 148; and a number generator 152generally operationally connected to the shutter controller 150. Thenumber generator 152 typically generates numbers, preferably randomly(pseudo-randomly or real-random) in order to instruct the shuttercontroller 150 how many frames 142 to exclude from projection in eachtime period, t.

The operation of the shutter controller 150 is now described withreference to two sections 154, 156 of the movie 140.

The shutter controller 150 is preferably operative to control theshutter 148 such that: a first number of the frames 142 (for example, aplurality of frames 158) of the section 154 (time period t1) of themovie 140 are excluded from projection; and a second number of theframes 142 (for example, a plurality of frames 160) of the section 156(time period t2) of the movie 140 are excluded from projection. Thefirst number is generally not equal to the second number. The shadedframes in FIG. 13 indicate frames 140 excluded from projection by theshutter 148.

Therefore, the “projected to the screen” frame rate of the section 154(R1) is typically different to the “projected to the screen” frame rateof the section 156 (R2). The duration of the projection of the section154 (time period t1) and the section 156 (time period t2) as well as allthe sections of the movie 140 are typically the same.

The frames 142 excluded in each time interval, t, are preferablyrandomly spread over the available frames of the time interval.

The viewer of the movie 140 in the movie theater still perceives fluidmotion, since the number of remaining frames is sufficient for fluidmotion perception. However, a pirated video copy by a camcorder willgenerally be of a poor quality as the camcorder will have problemssynchronizing throughout the projection of the movie 140.

It should be noted that the actual projection frame rate (the speed ofthe projection of the movie 140 by the spool assembly 144) is preferablythe same as the rate at which the movie 140 was filmed. However, some ofthe filmed frames 142 are generally not projected leading to changingthe “projected to the screen” frame rate throughout projection of themovie 140.

Reference is now made to FIG. 14, which is a simplified pictorialillustration of a non-fixed time interval changing projection rate foruse with the movie projector system 138 of FIG. 12. Optionally, theduration of the time intervals t is varied as shown in FIG. 14. By wayof example, the duration of the projection of a section 162 (timeinterval t1), with a “projected to the screen” rate, R1, is different tothe duration of the projection of a section 164 (time interval t2), witha “projected to the screen” rate, R2.

Reference is now made to FIGS. 15 and 16. FIG. 15 is a schematicorthogonal view of a movie screen apparatus 166 constructed andoperative in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the presentinvention. FIG. 16 is a schematic top view of the apparatus 166 of FIG.15.

The movie screen apparatus 166 preferably includes: a projection surface168 having a plurality of edges 170; and an anti-piracy surface feature172 typically disposed on the projection surface 168. The surfacefeature 172 preferably includes two strips 174. Each of the strips 174generally includes two edges 176 extending from one of the edges 170 ofthe projection surface 168 to another of the edges 170 of the projectionsurface 168. One of the edges 176 of the strips 174 is typicallyconnected to the projection surface 168 and another of the edges 176 ofthe strips 174 preferably connecting the strips 174 together. A minimumangle, Y, between the strips 174 is typically greater than 90 degreesand less than 180 degrees. Each strip 174 generally has a minimum width,L, of 0.5 cm.

The surface feature 172 generally causes the center of an image recordedby a pirate camcorder to be degraded due to uneven reflections from thesurface feature 172. The pirate camcorder therefore typically filmsimages with a darker or lighter patch corresponding to the surfacefeature 172 so that the pirated copy is practically useless. However,the human eye typically adapts easily to the different lightreflections.

It will be appreciated by those ordinarily skilled in the art that theprojection surface 168 and the strips 174 may be formed as separateelements or as a single unitary item.

Reference is now made to FIGS. 17-19. FIG. 17 is a schematic orthogonalview of a movie screen apparatus 178 constructed and operative inaccordance with an alternative preferred embodiment of the presentinvention. FIG. 18 is a schematic top view of the movie screen apparatus178 of FIG. 17. FIG. 19 is an expanded view of a section of FIG. 18.

The movie screen apparatus 178 preferably includes a projection surface180 typically having a plurality of edges 182 (top and bottom edge ofthe projection surface 180). The projecting surface 180 preferablyincludes a plurality of strips 184. Each of the strips 184 typicallyincludes two edges 186 (along the elongated direction of the strips184). The edges 186 of the strips 184 generally extend from one edge 182of the projection surface 180 to another edge 182 of the projectionsurface 180. The strips 184 are preferably connected to each other atthe edges 186 of the strips 184. The strips 184 are typically mounted ona screen backing 188 to provide extra support for the structure of thestrips 184. The edges 186 (along the elongated direction) of each strip184 makes any suitable angle, A, with the top edge 182 of the projectionsurface 180, as shown in FIG. 17.

The strips 184 are generally arranged in a plurality of groups 190. Eachof the groups 190 typically forms a pattern. The same pattern preferablyrepeats for each of the groups 190. However, it will be appreciated bythose ordinarily skilled in the art that the movie screen apparatus 178may include a single group of strips with no repeating pattern.

FIG. 18 shows an expanded view of one group 190. The different strips ineach group 190 face in at least four different directions (D1, D2, D3and D4).

A minimum angle between the strips 184 (for example, angle C1, C2, C3,C4, C5, C6 or C7) is greater than 90 degrees and less than 180 degrees.Therefore, the minimum angle subtended between the strips 184 and thescreen backing 188 (for example, angle B1, B2, B3, B4, B5, B6, B7, B8)is typically greater than 0 degrees and typically less than 90 degrees,preferably less than 45 degrees. The strips typically have a minimumwidth, M, of 0.5 cm. All the strips may have the same width, M, ordifferent widths or any other suitable choice of widths. For example,two adjacent strips may have different widths, so that the anglesubtended between the adjacent strips and the screen backing 188 isdifferent for each of the adjacent strips.

In the example of FIG. 18, angles C1 and C7 are the same, angles C3 andC5 are the same, angles B1, B2, B7 and B8 are the same and angles B3,B4, B5 and B6 are the same. However, each of the minimum angles betweenthe strips 184 or between the screen backing 188 and the strips 184 maybe different or any other suitable choice of angles.

The projections and depressions created by the strips 184 generallycauses an image recorded by a pirate camcorder to be degraded due touneven reflections from the strips 184. The pirate camcorder thereforegenerally films images with a darker or lighter patch corresponding tothe projections and depressions so that the pirated copy is practicallyuseless. However, the human eye typically adapts easily to the differentlight reflections.

It will be appreciated by those ordinarily skilled in the art that thestrips 184 can be any suitable shape and have any suitable form, forexample, but not limited to, a flat form or a curved form.

In accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention,movies are projected by one projector 192 (FIG. 17) onto the moviescreen apparatus 178. Therefore, no change is required in standard movietheaters in the projector room.

In accordance with other preferred embodiments of the present invention,movies are projected by a plurality of synchronized projectors, oroptical arrangements, onto the screen. The number of projectors used istypically equal to the number of different directions, D that the strips184 face. The projectors typically project alternately, one at a time,each projector being adapted to project in each of the directions, D.Optionally, the projectors project at the same time such that there ispreferably no overlapping of the image on the screen as described withreference to FIGS. 23 and 24. Projection systems for projecting onto amulti-directional screen are described in more detail with reference toFIGS. 21-24.

It will be appreciated by those ordinarily skilled in the art that thescreen backing 188 and the strips 184 may be formed from separateelements or as a unitary item.

Reference is now made to FIG. 20, which is a schematic orthogonal viewof a movie screen apparatus 194 constructed and operative in accordancewith another alternative preferred embodiment of the present invention.In order to simplify the description of the projection systems of FIGS.21-24, the projection systems are described with reference to the moviescreen apparatus 194 which is a two-directional movie screen. However,it will be appreciated by those ordinarily skilled in the art that theprojection systems of FIGS. 21-24 may be implemented with a projectionscreen having strips facing more than two directions.

The movie screen apparatus 194 is described in more detail below.

The movie screen apparatus 194 is substantially the same as the moviescreen apparatus 178 (FIGS. 17-19) except that in the movie screenapparatus 194 all the strips 184 have the same width and all the stripssubtend the same angle with each other and the screen backing 188 sothat all the strips 184 face one of two directions, D1 or D2.

Reference is now made to FIG. 21, which is a partly pictorial, partlyblock diagram view of a multi-projector anti-piracy system 196constructed and operative in accordance with a preferred embodiment ofthe present invention for use with the movie screen apparatus of FIG.20. It will be appreciated by those ordinarily skilled in the art thatthe anti-piracy system 196 may be used with other suitable movie screenswith suitable modification to the anti-piracy system 196.

The anti-piracy system 196 preferably includes a synchronized projectorarrangement 198. The projector arrangement 198 typically includes aplurality of synchronized projectors 200. Each of the projectors 200 isgenerally associated with one of the different directions, D1 and D2,typically by arranging the projectors 200 so as to project a movie fromdifferent orientations relative to the screen 194 on to the strips 184facing the different directions, D1 and D2. The projector arrangement198 also preferably includes a synchronization unit 202 to synchronizethe projectors 200 so as to selectively project alternately in each oneof the different directions, D1 and D2. The synchronization unit 202 ispreferably operationally connected to the projectors 200 either by awired connection 208 or a wireless connection (not shown).

Therefore, one projector 200 typically projects onto the strips 184facing the direction D1 and the other projector 200 typically projectsonto the strips 184 facing the direction D2, alternately. Each projector200 generally projects complete frames 232 (only one shown) of the wholemovie in the manner described below.

By way of example only, one projector 200 starts projecting on thestrips 184 facing the direction D1 every other 1/48 second (in otherwords, the first 1/48 second, the third 1/48 second, and so on) and theother projector 200 then projects on the strips 184 facing the directionD2 every other 1/48 second (in order words, the second 1/48 sec, theforth 1/48, and so on).

It should be noted that projection every 1/48 of a second by eachprojector 200 is just given by way of example only. The projection ratemay be as low as every 1/32 of a second per frame in order for the humaneye to perceive fluid movement and typically less than 1/64 of a secondso that a pirate camcorder 204 does not record more than 32 completeframes per second.

Therefore, the human eye perceives a fluid effect, while a camcordercopy is practically unusable, because even if the projection frame rateis sufficient for fluid movement, only parts of each frame are projectedat any one moment for capturing by the camcorder 204, as shown by asample frame 206 captured by the camcorder 204.

It will be appreciated by those ordinarily skilled in the art that morethan two projectors may be used depending on the screen being used.Additionally, it will be appreciated by those ordinarily skilled in theart that the projection timing will also depend on the number ofprojectors used.

Reference is now made to FIG. 22, which is a partly pictorial, partlyblock diagram view of a single projector anti-piracy system 210constructed and operative in accordance with a preferred embodiment ofthe present invention for use with the movie screen apparatus 194 ofFIG. 20. The anti-piracy system 210 is substantially the same as theanti-piracy system 196 of FIG. 21 except for the following differences.The projectors 200 are preferably replaced by a single projector 212 tosimulate the action of the projectors 200 using an optical arrangement214 typically including one or more of the following optical components:mirrors (not shown), prisms (not shown), lenses 216, beam splitters (notshown), waveguides 218 and shutters 220.

The optical arrangement 214 is adapted so that a beam projected from theprojector 212 is consecutively projected in each of the availabledirections (for example, D1 and D2). Therefore, the frames of theoriginal movie typically need to be duplicated for each direction (forexample, D1 and D2). Alternatively, the movie needs to be filmed at avery high rate, typically equal to a standard shooting rate multipliedby the possible number of different directions (for example, D1 and D2)so that quality and/or fluid motion is not lost.

Moving from one projection direction (for example, D1 and D2) to anotheris typically performed by disposing the shutters 220 in the paths of thebeams for each direction (for example, D1 and D2) and then selectivelyoperating the shutters 220 so that only one of the paths allows light topass to the movie screen apparatus 194 at any one time.

Reference is now made to FIG. 23, which is a partly pictorial, partlyblock diagram view of a multi-projector anti-piracy system 222constructed and operative in accordance with an alternative preferredembodiment of the present invention for use with the movie screenapparatus 194 of FIG. 20. The anti-piracy system 210 is substantiallythe same as the anti-piracy system 196 of FIG. 21 except for thefollowing differences. First, the synchronization unit 202 is operativeto synchronize the projectors 200 to project from the differentorientations on to the strips 184 simultaneously (both the projectors200 projecting onto the movie screen apparatus 194 at the same time, andnot alternately). Second, the projecting by the projectors 200 ispreferably performed such that there is no overlap of the movie on themovie screen apparatus 194 from the different orientations. Overlap ofthe movie on the screen 194 is typically prevented by editing, for eachof the projectors 200, a copy of the movie in order to removenon-projected parts of the copy. FIG. 23 shows a frame 224 whichincludes “odd” strips of an original frame (not shown) for projection byone projector 200 and a frame 226 which includes “even” strips of theoriginal frame for projection by the other projector 200. However, thewhole original frame is projected, in combination, by the two projectors200.

The editing is preferably performed using one of the methods describedwith reference to FIGS. 4-6 or any other suitable editing method.

Therefore, a pirate camcorder records a copy of the movie which has:light and dark patches due to the different reflections from thenon-uniform screen; or missing patches typically due to the position ofthe camcorder in the movie theater in relation to the strips 184 of thescreen 194.

Reference is now made to FIG. 24, which is a partly pictorial, partlyblock diagram view of a multi-projector anti-piracy system 228constructed and operative in accordance with another alternativepreferred embodiment of the present invention for use with the moviescreen apparatus 194 of FIG. 20. The anti-piracy system 228 issubstantially the same as the anti-piracy system 222 of FIG. 23 exceptthat overlap of the movie on the screen 194 is typically prevented usinga plurality of complementary filters 230. One of the filters 230 isdisposed over the lens of each projector 200. Therefore, selectiveprojection of the movie is performed without editing the movie by usingthe complementary filters 230 on the projectors 200. Therefore,different parts of each frame of the movie are projected by thedifferent projectors 200 without editing the movie.

It will be appreciated by those ordinarily skilled in the art that theprojectors 200 may be replaced by a single projector such as theprojector 212 (FIG. 22) using a suitable optical arrangement such as theoptical arrangement 214 (FIG. 22) with suitable modifications.

Reference is now made to FIG. 25, which is a schematic top view of amovie screen apparatus 234 constructed and operative in accordance withanother alternative preferred embodiment of the present invention. Themovie screen apparatus 234 is substantially the same as the movie screenapparatus 178 described with reference to FIGS. 17-19 except for thefollowing differences. The strips 184 are only connected to the screenbacking 188 and not to each other so that the screen surface isnon-continuous with gaps between the strips 184. The strips 184 arestill arranged in the groups 190 facing at least two directions. In theexample of FIG. 25, the strips 184 are facing in three directions, D5,D6, and D7.

It will be appreciated that various features of the invention which are,for clarity, described in the contexts of separate embodiments may alsobe provided in combination in a single embodiment. Conversely, variousfeatures of the invention which are, for brevity, described in thecontext of a single embodiment may also be provided separately or in anysuitable sub-combination. It will also be appreciated by persons skilledin the art that the present invention is not limited by what has beenparticularly shown and described hereinabove. Rather the scope of theinvention is defined only by the claims which follow.

1. A method for frustrating piracy of a movie, the movie including aplurality of filmed frames, each of the filmed frames including animage, the method comprising: editing the movie prior to projection suchthat different regions of the image of one of the filmed frames are indifferent frames so that the different regions will be projected atdifferent times; and repeating the editing for other ones of the filmedframes.
 2. The method according to claim 1, wherein the differentregions are non-intersecting regions of the image of the one filmedframe.
 3. The method according to claim 1, further comprising physicallyduplicating the one filmed frame yielding a first projected frame and asecond projected frame, the first projected frame including one of thedifferent regions, the second projected frame including another of thedifferent regions.
 4. The method according to claim 3, wherein theediting includes editing out at least one region in each of the firstprojected frame and the second projected frame leaving behind thedifferent regions.
 5. The method according to claim 1, furthercomprising analyzing the image of the one filmed frame in order todecide a most suitable way to divide up the image of the one filmedframe thereby determining the different regions.
 6. The method accordingto claim 1, wherein a shape of at least one of the different regionschanges between the one filmed frame and another one of the filmedframes.
 7. The method according to claim 1, wherein a location of atleast one of the different regions changes between the one filmed frameand another one of the filmed frames.
 8. The method according to claim1, wherein an orientation of at least one of the different regionschanges between the one filmed frame and another one of the filmedframes.
 9. A tangible film medium including a movie edited by the methodof claim 1.